Ann Benson

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Perkins, Career Clusters and Programs of Study

• Ann Benson
• gben_at_brightok.net
• bensoneducation.com

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Essential Question

• Career clusters, career pathways and programs of
  study - - -
• Another one of those deals that comes along, or
  the real deal that can change the way we do
  business?

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SUPPORT FOR POS
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Too many 9th Graders do not complete High School
historical trend
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Source One-Third of a Nation (ETS, 2005)
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Why do they leave?
Source The silent epidemic Perspectives of high
school dropouts Civic Enterprises, 2006
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Have you ever been bored in class?
Source 2008 HSSSE
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If you have been bored in class, why?

1. Material not interesting
2. Material wasnt relevant to me
3. No interaction with teacher
4. Work wasnt challenging enough
5. Work was too difficult
6. Other

Source 2008 HSSSE
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Why Career Clusters? New Definition of CTE

• The global economy requires an educational
  system that is seamless with numerous exit and
  re-entry points and a curriculum that emphasizes
  employability and technical skills integrated
  with rigorous academic content. To effect this
  shift, CTE and the broader education and
  workforce systems must respond. So how do we get
  from where we are to where we need to be?
• Career Clusters A Plan of Education for a
  Global Economy
• States Career Clusters Initiative

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National SurveysFrom 2004 to 2007

• For each Career Cluster, the number of states
  reporting implementation has increased. (Largest
  increases were in Education and Training and
  STEM.)
• Secondary implementation increased by 12,
  two-year colleges by 43, and four-year
  universities by 74.

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National Survey 2007

• Most popular Career Clusters (largest number of
  states)
• Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
• Architecture and Construction
• Health
• Hospitality and Tourism
• IT
• Manufacturing

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National Survey 2007

• Over half of the states indicated they will allow
  locals to develop the Perkins IV programs of
  study for state approval.
• Thirty-five states are requiring local Perkins
  plans to incorporate Career Clusters.
• Nineteen states have adopted some sort of state
  policy that supports Career Clusters.
• Approximately one-third of states have redirected
  staff to support Career Clusters work.

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National Survey 2007

• About one-third of the states are just getting
  started with implementation (tackling a high
  learning curve - novice).
• Twenty-three states are mid-level between novice
  and expert.
• Only three states indicated they were at the
  expert level (showing high competency and
  potential for serving as mentors).

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National Survey 2007

• Trends for Successful Implementation Strategies
• Inclusion of all participating partners
• Marketing and awareness
• Use of model plans/programs of study
• Start small and build on existing practices
• Incorporate what other states have already learned

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• Someone has to take the lead with local
  implementation
• If not you, then WHO?

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Need to Know Information about Perkins?

• At least one Program of Study must be in place
  during the next school year
• The Programs of Study must include courses at
  both the secondary and postsecondary levels

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Need to Know Information about Perkins?

• The Programs of Study must include both academic
  and CTE/degree major courses and
• The Programs of Study must lead somewhere a
  credential, certificate, license, degree, etc.

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So where do Career Clusters fit in? What are they?

• Career Clusters are groupings of occupations and
  industries
• A Career Pathway represents a grouping of
  occupations within a cluster based on
  commonalities
• A Program of Study is the plan to get students
  from high school entry to success in careers and
  postsecondary education.

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Lets say it again

• A Program of Study is the plan to get students
  from high school entry to success in careers and
  postsecondary education.
• Its not hard, but someone has to take the lead
  and dedicate the time.

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Whats Most Important?

• NOT What you call courses.
• NOT How many courses you take.
• Its being sure students get the content they
  need.
• The Key is the Knowledge and Skills Statements.

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• www.careerclusters.org

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STEPS FOR DEVELOPING POS

• Bring the players together.
• Determine pathways to be developed.
• a. Target careers
• b. Include as part of POS
• Identify template format for POS.
• Clump the K S statements into courses.
• (Dont worry about specific titles.)

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STEPS FOR DEVELOPING POS

1. Write course descriptions based on K S.
2. Identify academic courses to support K S.
3. Crosswalk to ensure appropriate local, state and
   national standards are met.
4. Remember the target audienceStudents!

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Other Hints for Development

• Dont forcefeed existing courses
• Dont worry about course titles
• Dont try to include everything-focus on the
  knowledge and skills
• Do prepare for lots of PD
• Be willing to repeat yourself

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POS Checklist

• Are both academic and degree major courses
  included?
• Are both secondary and postsecondary courses
  included?
• Does coursework reflect the K S?
• Do courses represent a sequence of instruction
  that leads to a degree, certificate or credential?

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POS Checklist, cont.

• Do courses represent a coherent and rigorous
  program of studies?
• Have courses been cross-referenced against state
  and national standards?
• Does completion of the high school courses ensure
  success at the postsecondary level?
• Does the high school plan reflect opportunities
  for postsecondary enrollment?

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Why Do All This?

• Worst Reasons!!!
• Perkins LegislationJust
• to get the money
• Someone says we have to

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Why Do All This?

• Best Reasons!!!
• It is best for students
• It links the various levels of education
• It causes academic courses and CTE/degree major
  courses to have a linkage
• It gives faculty members a reason to work together

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Why Do All This?

• It puts a reason into what students are
  learning
• Reduce remediation
• Increase academic and career
  success

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Leaders Must Do Hard Things

• Far too many young people today enter high
  school at risk of becoming lost in transition
  because our K-20 educational system has failed in
  its duty to build clear pathways to academic and
  career success. This tragic waste of human
  resources will not only condemn millions of
  adults in the next generation to unfulfilling
  lives marked by low-wage jobs and unrealized
  potential,. . . .

Source Lost in Transition, 2008
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• . . . . it will threaten the economic security
  and social stability of our states and nation.

Source Lost in Transition, 2008
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Weve Got a Choice.
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Or, Stick Our Necks Out and Move Forward!!
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If I can provide you with any assistance, please
contact

• Ann Benson
• 405-743-2919 (office)
• 405-880-5383 (cell)
• gben_at_brightok.net or bensoneducation.com